All right. Good afternoon everybody. We have a special meeting of the city council of the city of Cape May. We are here in the Cape May city hall auditorium. Today is Wednesday, January 21st, 2026. The time is now 4 p.m. Please join me for the
pledge of allegiance. I aliance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands. One nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.
>> Thank you. >> Under the open public meetings law, notice of this meeting was sent to the Kate County Herald and the Press of Atlantic City, and a copy of the agenda was delivered to each member of city council, posted on the city website and city hall bulletin board. Notice is hereby provided that Kate may city council meetings are audio recorded and
or video streamed live. Live video streams are posted to the Kate May city website. The city of Kate May is not responsible if audio recording or live video streaming of the meeting is unavailable. Roll call. Council member Baldwin >> here. >> Council member Bodner >> here. >> Deputy Mayor McDade
>> here. Council member Meyer is absent. Mayor Mullik >> here. >> City solicitor Gillan Schwarz >> here. >> City Manager Dietrich >> here. and Deputy Clerk Turner >> here. And council, we have one resolution. It's 81-012026. A resolution providing for a meeting not
open to the public in accordance with the provisions of the New Jersey Open Public Meetings Act and JSA 104-12. This is to discuss the Beach Patrol headquarters project contract discussion discussion on law enforcement and dispatching shared services agreements with the Burough of Westgate
May. Collective bargaining negotiations for the GW local 2327 middle management and PBA local 59. >> Do I have a motion? >> I'll make the motion. >> Do I have a second? >> I'll second. >> Roll call. >> Deputy Mayor McDade. >> Yes. >> Council member Bodner? >> Yes.
>> Council member Baldwin? >> Yes. >> Mayor Mullik? >> Yes. >> Public portion. Mayor, >> is anyone here wishing to speak on this resolution? Seeing none, we'll close public comment and go into close session. >> Time is 402. All right. Good evening everyone. We are
coming out of a closed session meeting and which we uh discussed a variety of um of issues um several of which will be on the agenda tonight and we'll explain them in a moment. But in the meantime, do I have a motion to close the close
session? >> I'll make the motion. >> Do I have a second? >> I'll second. >> All in favor? >> I >> I. With that, we will open our regular meeting of the city council of the city of Cape May. We are here in the Cape May city hall auditorium. Today is
Wednesday, January 21st, 2026. The time is now 9 minutes past 5:00 p.m. Please join me for the Pledge of Allegiance. I aliance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic
for which it stands. One nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. >> Thank you. Under the open public meetings law, notice that this meeting was sent to the Kate May County Herald and the press of
Atlantic City and a copy the agenda was delivered to each member of city council, posted to the city website and city hall bulletin board. Notice is hereby provided that Kate May city council meetings are audio recorded and video streamed live. Live video streams are posted to the Kate May city website. The city of Kate May is not responsible
if audio recording or live video streaming of a meeting is unavailable. Roll call. Council member Baldwin >> here. Council member Bodner >> here. >> Deputy Mayor McDade >> here. >> Council member Meyer >> here. >> Mayor Mullik >> here. >> City solicitor Gillan Schwarz >> here.
>> City Manager Dietrich >> here. >> Deputy Clerk Turner >> here. >> And council, we have several additions this evening. Um, are we comfortable in me having reading them all and then one motion to add and then you can vote separately on them later? Okay, perfect.
So, we're going to have we're going to add 8701 2026. This is a resolution establishing a task force for the creation of uniform standards for city signage. 88012026, a resolution of the city of Kate May approving agreement with the bureau of Westgate May for law enforcement and
dispatching services. 89012026, a resolution approving a memorandum of agreement between the city of Kate May and the police benevolent association local 59. and 9012026, a resolution of the city of Kate May
requesting the governor to issue a uh state disaster declaration for the New Jerseys beaches in response to storm damage. If we have a motion to add all of those to the regular agenda. >> Do I have a motion? >> I'll make a motion. >> Do I have a second? >> I'll second. >> Any questions or comments, council? Roll
call. >> Council member Meyer. >> Yes. >> Deputy Mayor McDade. >> Yes. >> Council member Bodner. >> Yes. Yes. Council member Baldwin. >> Yes. >> Mayor Mullik. >> Yes. >> Okay. On to updates in old business council.
>> Uh any updates for old business council? >> City manager. Uh thank you. I have a couple. Um first I wanted to uh update council. Uh good news. We received our caffer permit from the D for the desalinization water treatment plant. So
we now have all permits necessary to move forward with that project. Um, I'll be meeting with uh several all the council members individually to go over some capital bond projects. Um, but we're and we met with bond council and
the auditor uh last week and previously. And we're anticipating possibly having some bond uh introduction ordinances to move some of these projects ahead uh coming up in February, so next month.
Um, next I'd like to recognize um Deb uh Lindholm, our tax collector. She received a uh higher certification uh for tax collectors. Uh there's a a second level of certification and she's
now eligible to uh be a tax collector in all municipalities. Uh there's a a heightened certain municipalities you need a special certification based on their size and type of government. um she has passed that test and now holds the highest level of tax le tax collector certification which from my
understanding there's not a lot of them that hold that higher level. So she's in a definitely a minority but so it just really goes to show the outstanding work that our tax collector does for the city. Absolutely. >> I will. I will.
>> Um, the next thing I just wanted to to discuss was uh the mayor and myself along with several other mayor's administrators took a trip down to or just down to DC geographically. They're almost across from us, but so so um but
but I guess we'll use down to DC to uh make our pitch and and really talk about uh the the state of the beaches, especially in Kate May County. And uh we met with uh a lot different legislative teams uh with from state of New Jersey as well as the appropriation committees
of both the Senate and the uh House of Representatives and uh the the really good meeting was with the um Army Corps of Engineers. Um, so we met with those and what came out of really the important thing was obviously having a consistent message and and trying to
understand and and trying to get a a long-term funding support, dedicated funding support, which I think if you saw in the papers, Congressman Vandrew is introducing some legislation um to uh try to dedicate uh shore protection
funding. Um but what we need in the short term is uh to request from the governor of New Jersey to declare a emer state emergency for our beaches. Hence I think that was resolution uh 90 that um
Aaron talked about. And so I'd ask that council move forward with that because that opens up a pot of money that the Army Corps has to do emergency work. um federal federal federal dollars, federal army corps dollars and it and it's and it can only be used for work, you know,
army corps work for states of emergency. So the governor of a state has to declare a state of emergency in order to open up this pot of money. So it's not readily available um so in order for a city to get its beach filled um you
would have to go through the normal procurement process uh through the federal budget. Um, Kate May City's beaches were in line to have beachfills this cycle this this year. So, we are, you know, I think our beaches are in okay
shape. You know, there are some hot spots that we could use some more sand. Um the Coast Guard base, which is part of our reach, is starting to see some wearing on their beach. But um if if the I think it'd be prudent for all communities along the coast, whether
it's Kate May, Atlantic, Ocean, or Mammoth counties, to uh encourage the governor to um declare a state of emergency for the condition of the beaches to open up this funding would be helpful. Um and then the last thing I had uh I
had discussed with you regarding uh the construction at the lifeguard building. Uh the contractor has requested two change orders. Um they've been recommended by the um our architect Rob Connley Architects. Uh change order one is for a total of $15,787.70.
Uh that includes removing the uh solar panels off of the roof. some of the work. We thought we were going to be able to get it up there or and just not have to move the panels, but they actually all have to come off in order for them to do the work. Uh there's also
some minor plumbing work that needs to be done as part of that change order. And then change order two uh in the amount of $13,14. It's for six uh helical piles along the front of the building underneath of which will really support the addition
of the area underneath the women's locker room. Um we've once we tore off the old decking, we we exposed the pilings that you couldn't really see because there's deck boards over it that those top three feet two to three feet of the pilings are all rotted and need
to be uh secured for structural support. Uh, so I'd ask for a motion uh to uh um approve those change orders and then we would follow up with a memorializing resolution with all that documentation at the next meeting. But in order to keep the contractor moving, I I would
need authorization for those this evening. Thank you. >> And I just need a motion vote for that. >> I'm comfortable with that. If you'd like to do a motion to authorize change orders one and two for this project and then we'll uh prepare a formal resolution for the next meeting. >> Does everyone understand it? Do I have a
Do I have a motion? >> I'll make the I'll make the motion. >> Do I have a second? >> I'll second. >> Does everyone understand what we're doing? >> Okay. Any questions or comments? >> Roll call. >> Council member Meyer? >> Yes. >> Deputy Mayor McDade? >> Yes. >> Council member Bodner? >> Yes. >> Council member Baldwin?
>> Yes. >> Mayor Mullik? >> Yes. >> Okay. Thank you. >> And and I just would also note aggregately they are well under the 20% threshold that's required. I didn't do the quick math, but um they they are under the 20% threshold.
>> City solicitor, any updates? >> Just briefly for council, many of you may have seen in the news the state legislature and and governor signed the uh bill S484834,
which is the ebike legislation. So, and reason I want to address that is just to uh speak to how that might interplay with the ordinance that Kate May and many others have adopted lately. So the the city's ordinance uh has tended to
tended to be a gap filler and that is relating to really more conduct um in town, not driving on sidewalks and the way that those uh e- scooters and ebikes and motorbikes um should be operating within city limits and other towns have
adopted similar provisions. Um the the state law that was passed recently really deals more with licensing, registration, and insurance requirements, which is really something the city and municipalities, specifically us, we don't want to get into. Um and there is a grace period for
those requirements and it there's age requirements. So, you know, people that are 14 and under aren't going to be able to operate these ebikes. Um and the definition is pretty broad. it's even the the slower moving ones versus the ones that are can go a little bit
faster. Um, but there'll be a special license for those people falling in the 15 16 year old and then anybody with a license can really operate them. Um, but specifically in that new law, they do leave room for local governments to legislate locally how these things are
going to operate on bike paths and and things like that. So, it really does call out the type of discretion that you would expect the legislature to give to municipalities and local agencies and that the city has already enacted. So, um I I'll point out that if there's any
more legislation on this, we have a built-in provision that indicates we're not trying to overwrite any federal laws or state laws that are more specific, but in the absence of more specific provisions, this is what we want to see in the city. And again, it's treating it the same way as a vehicle. We don't want
to see cars on a sidewalk. We don't want to see motorcycles on a sidewalk. So, we don't want to see these things on the sidewalk because of the safety hazard that that brings. So, and and specifically, these things are called out as vehicles under the state law, too. So, I see it um as there's some
synergy there between the two. Um, we're certainly not stepping on any toes with the things that we adopted and this is another supplement providing, you know, a greater degree of regulation and documentation for for those types of vehicles that are going to come into the city. So, keep you posted on any further
updates, but I just wanted to indicate that things appear to be moving in the legislature. This one moved pretty quickly. Um, and any further developments or any changes that we may need to make to our ordinance or modifications, we can address that in time. If I could just ask regarding uh
the registration and licensing, does the the state or um the state statute that was passed, does it provide any any information or any guidance for our residents or people who are working in Kate May at this point in time? >> They're charging the motor vehicle commission with coming up with a
framework for that and there's a grace period built in for 6 months for that now. And I think they're going to use try and use that time for the motor vehicle commission to to kind of give some more guidance, more specific guidance on costs and and how that's going to work out. >> Can I ask a quick question? Does this
cover scooters as well or is it all motorized, all electric bikes? >> Um, so scooters are, as I read it, treated differently under this law. It's really so any ebike and again this could be the power assisted ones or the pedal assisted ones, the ones that go really
fast or the ones that could just go >> relatively slow. They're all treated the same and a lot of bike groups have kind of raised their hand to say, "Hey, this is going too far." Um, but scooters are are appear to be treated differently
under this. So, they're not low-speed electric scooters um are indicated not to require registration or have a driver's license. So, and those are the ones that go 19 miles per hour or less. Um and they're defined differently under
the law. So, for whatever reason, those appear to be carved out. Mhm. >> Um but for the city's purposes, we have a blanket, you know, any one of these things is going to be governed by the conduct rules that the city's come up with. So that that our ordinance covers
all these things. Um how they've chosen to require registration, lensure, and and other documentation is kind of up to the state level, but we treat them the same. I will say that. >> Any other questions or comments, council?
Is that everything? >> Yep. Okay. Um, >> before I ask other council members, I just want to give a quick update and this is on the agenda. At our last council meeting, we introduced ordinance 588 2026, an ordinance amending chapter
7 of the code of the city of Kate May regarding on street parking permits to confirm residency requirement. Upon that introduction, we uh all spoke about a couple concerns and heard from a member of the public who had some concerns. I've since spoken to every member of
city council who no uh no longer support ordinance 588. And I wanted to put that on this agenda tonight. Uh the way ordinances get introduced, there's a meeting in between before second reading. So this isn't due to be on the
meeting until next uh agenda, I believe. Uh so ordinance 588 will be on that agenda. Uh you can't just make a ordinance disappear but uh especially given the fact that I heard from some folks who were not in the city of Kate
May and would have to travel for that um meeting. I wanted to make it very clear tonight that having spoken to every uh member of city council not one of those members supports that ordinance. Uh so I just want to make sure that that's clear to everyone.
Please don't feel like you have to come to the next council meeting there will not be a change. Uh I'm sure uh having heard from everyone that ordinance 588 will be at that time tabled which is again a technical term that basically means it is gone um and unless somebody
wants to bring it back up but I don't from having heard from everyone uh that is not the case. So, I just wanted to say that as a public announcement tonight so that no one was nervous or felt like they had to be at the next uh council meeting next um month. Correct.
>> The third. It's scheduled to come back >> February 3rd. So, um if you have a question about that tonight, please feel free to to ask that at the appropriate time at our uh um public comment uh time frame. But please know that again 588
will be tabled at the next council meeting. Having said that, uh, city council, any other updates or old business? >> None. We can move on to ordinate. >> I I forgot I did have one other thing. So, I was supposed to put a presentation
on for um this evening. Uh, we do have uh two gentlemen from Remington and Vernick. Uh they're the engineers uh working with West Kate May and designing the First Avenue pedestrian bridge or pedestrian bike bridge, I should call
it. and they have made a presentation before our HPC have gotten a favorable recommendation from the HPC. Um, but in in order for them to move forward from the city's perspective because they're they're getting very close to needing to
submit for a caffer permit. And in order for that, the city would have to sign off on it. But in order before I sign off on the caffer permit, I wanted council to at least see the plans and and and the council be comfortable with that project moving forward as part of a
city sponsored project. I've asked them to come here and present the I'll say the the preliminary draft plans that they're anticipating uh submitting to CA uh to CAFRA. you've got a um kind of a a sample of what the bridge looks like in
different picture formats and I think if I could ask them to come up and uh just kind of describe the project and give a better overview of what what's going to be happening I'd appreciate it. >> Please welcome just turn the green light.
>> Come on up. Introduce yourselves if you would. Thank you very much for being here. We appreciate it. >> Absolutely. >> Thank you. >> Thank you Paul. Um, as you mentioned, we're from Remington Vernick. I'm Anthony Chadwell. Uh, this is Dave Mallet. Um, >> gentlemen, if you would be so kind as to move that closer. You can pick it up. You're just going to have to speak right
into it so we can hear you. Okay. >> Can you hear me? >> Yes. Better. Thank you. >> Thank you, Mayor and Council. Um, as I stated, um, we're from Remington Vernick. My name is Anthony Chadwell. This is Dave Mallet. Um, I'm actually the uh, municipal engineer over at Westg Cape May uh, helping to spearhead this project uh, forward. I'm here to give
you a a brief overview um and a progress update and answer any questions you may have uh regarding the First Avenue uh and West Grant Street Bridge. It is a multi-use bridge. Um so it will be open for bicycles and pedestrian walkers. Um
we met with the uh we've done conceptual and preliminary uh engineering to this point. We met with the HBC on January 7th. um then got some aesthetic or design considerations. They wanted uh a little bit of a wood feature as opposed
to all steel. So, uh we updated our plans to have EPE uh wood decking. That's a really hard wood from Brazil. Um and then we also talked about some um a couple of aesthetic elements. So, I handed um proposed bridge styles to you
guys. Um it will have like an arch style, but it'll be essentially flat. Um, so, um, at the HPC meeting, we talked about like what color we're probably going to have like the rusted wood, like brown wood, rusted steel, uh,
look to it as opposed to having it painted white or anything. Um, more like the, uh, aesthetics on page three. Um and then the next steps would be to get your uh
sign off in order to go forward with caffer permitting. Um and yeah, >> where does it stand in regards to historic preservation commission? Was that final approval, Paul? >> So, and I I forgot. So, we met with I'm
sorry, we met with the subre committee and it was okay with that. So, we still have to get it through HPC. I think it's scheduled to go to one of the upcoming HBC meetings in February. >> Okay, great. >> And of are these all the same? They're just different colors. Is
>> essentially. Yeah, >> because this one here looks a little bit different than the others. So, we're looking at more this arch design. >> I think the first the fix on the first page, the top >> the top one. >> The top one >> and the brown is on the third page. >> Well, that is the top is the brown. Oh,
it is that is that is brown, too. Yeah, the one on top. >> Okay. So, the one on top is really the one that you're promoting. >> It'll have even less of a camber than that one. Um, so it'll have even less arch. It would be essentially more flat than that that top one, but it'll look very similar
>> style. Okay. >> Yeah. >> And Tony, if you if you could, and I appreciate the fact that you're here tonight. This is I think it's the third time you've been um in the city uh doing some presentation because you also came before the bike and pedestrian committee. um you presented the the full
presentation that you did before HPC and like I say it was um I mean people loved it you know that the group um gave gave its approval bike and pedestrian committee gave it gave it full backing um but you also could you provide information as far as the width of the
of the bridge as well as uh what's planned on either side as far as for additional protection for bikes or um or pedestrians that are that would be transversing the bridge. Yeah, thanks Steve. Absolutely. Um, it'll be approximately 50 foot length from one span to the other from the abutments.
Um, and the width of the bridge uh will be 10 ft and that's uh for AASHTO and ADA standards to allow enough passing distance for bikes to go on either side. Um, additional safety that we spoke about was and privacy was having a a wooden fence um, leading up to the
bridge from the curb line all the way to the uh, entrance of the bridge on either side on both sides of uh, the path as well. Um, that'll we have it as 4 foot high right now. Four foot high wooden privacy fence uh to keep everybody on the path and you know try to protect the
privacy of the neighbors as well. Um, and then additionally, we talked about putting removable ballards uh somewhere to the entrance of the bridge. Um, that will stop any vehicles or low- speed vehicles or anything from getting on that bridge. We definitely want to deter any, you know, golf carts or anybody
from using this. So, um, yeah, it's for pedestrians and bicycles only. >> Is it for u bicycles um in motion? >> Uh, >> or are they going to walk it over the 50ft span? They should walk it over the 50 foot span. We'll have the appropriate
signage. Um, but some people >> have a bike lane. >> Yeah. >> So, so you're Sorry. Thank you. >> I thought you were going to have a bike lane so that there would be sort of on going in one direction towards the beach. You'd have a bike lane and a
walking lane and then >> coming back the other side. >> It's only 10 feet wide. So, >> yeah. No, I appreciate that. So, is this going to It says pedestrian bicycle bridge, but you're really just >> really It's a pedestrian bridge. >> They They'll have to walk it walk it across.
>> Okay. I just think from a promotion of it to make sure you're pretty clear on that point because you're only using it as a pedestrian to walk your bike across. Some people might believe because it says bike bridge that they can actually ride their bike on it. I
know it seems very minor but I think it's an important part of this if you're expecting people only to walk on it >> that they are very clear that you know oh well it says bike bridge I can ride my bike on it people will interpret so
just my input >> so you mentioned uh even though it has a shape of an arch that it will not be arched to be a flat surface So from one end to the other there'll be a 6 in difference across the 50 foot span into the to the middle. So that's essentially flat.
>> Is it more like this >> kind of we could the flatness is about the about the surface itself. >> The arch is is sort of an aesthetic element to the to that bridge. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. >> Okay. I got you. Okay. All right. Thank
you. >> Yeah. Everybody asked my questions about, you know, the length, the width, the arches, the ballards. So, it's >> and it looks great. One one thing that hasn't been said that I I think most people know, but just in case you don't, um we entered an agreement with West
Kate May some time ago um without the knowledge that they the we knew that they were applying for grants and and I know you worked on that grant, so we appreciate it because I think it um basically pays for most of the entire bridge, right? >> Yeah. Um, so just for the record, uh,
West Kit May kicked this off by getting an $85,000 local recreation improvement grant to essentially fund the design and pre-lication meetings with D and get this concept pretty much to where it's at today. Um, during that process, we applied for other grant opportunities and actually received the local aid
infrastructure fund, which is a discretionary uh, grant from the DOT commissioners. um and they uh supplied $700,000 for this project which should cover um all of the construction and construction management. Uh the only caveat there is the permitting isn't
covered. The permit application fees, submission and preparation. So that's the only thing that we'll have to >> I think our agreement uh reads that it's any of those costs are split 5050 between the city of Kate May and West Kate May. >> So >> great. Any other questions or uh
comments, council? I I just have one, please, Mr. Mayor. Um I don't know who's all been to the site here, but the side on Kate May 1st Avenue, I see a uh a bike rack there. Does anybody know if that's the city's bike rack? >> I think it is. >> Is it? Okay. So, there's a strange place
for a bike rack to be honest with. >> We're at the end of the culde-sac. Yeah, I noticed that. >> Will that remain? Do we do we think >> that's your guys call? >> We'll wait for a perfect design from you guys. I mean it does this does design kind of
the spillover of the bridge onto the street basically, right? I mean >> there will be a 10 foot wide depressed curb from wherever the bridge ends up going to the you know cases. >> And for the public's knowledge too just to know that um West Kate May is
designing uh as part of this um a bicycle lanes and and everything to get to the bridge. It's not just the bridge itself. >> Yeah. So, the the West Cape May Cape May County is essentially having a boardwalk or like a multi-use trail kind of
similar to this along all of the nature preserve that's due in a couple of years, we'll say. Sunset Boulevard. Yeah. All along Sunset Boulevard to connect all the way down to the point. Uh >> it was due a couple years ago. >> Yeah. So, we'll say a couple years from now. In conjunction with that, um,
Westgate May wants to develop a first avenue, um, as so as a bike path to get to here as a safe passage from the end of that sunset project. So, there will be a essentially a continuous path um that doesn't touch Broadway all the way
from the point uh to get down to the beaches. So, um, that that project is slated to get bid and constructed uh this year. That's on First Avenue on the West KMA side. >> Great. Any other questions or comments, council? >> Gentlemen, thank you very much. Uh,
>> thank you very much. Uh, we I I'll take a we don't have it on the agenda, but I'm happy to take uh comments from the public if that's okay with you. Gentlemen, >> I'll step back. >> J10 New York Avenue. Just a question. Will will it be lighted the bridge be lighted? So, we've been talking about
including just for safety, some kind of solar powered uh light on the removable ballards uh just to illuminate the ballards down. Very faint lighting. Not but there's not going to be any sight lighting or bright lights there. It would just be more, hey, there's a ballard here. Don't run into it with your bike if it's dark out. Um,
>> I think there ought to be consideration be given to some kind of a post light at at either side and that uh there should be a camera that so we can record what kind of incidents may occur there. >> Thank you.
>> Noted. I appreciate that, Mr. Roush. >> Stacy Shan, 928 Columbia Avenue. Um when this project came forward, it was it was um promoted as a bike safety bridge that was going to be for bike safety. And that's the reason why they were building
the bridge because of safety reasons on Broadway to get bikes off of Broadway. If bikes going to have to be walked across a bridge, why would anybody take that take the bridge when they could just stay on Broadway >> and go on the sidewalk if they wanted to? >> I personally think, especially given that it's flat, that we should allow
bicycles to cross it. That's my purpose. >> Well, the whole idea was how West Kate May promoted it. It was a bike bridge. >> I agree. I agree. >> And not pedestrians. And it's my understanding it wasn't going to be for pedestrian. It was just going to be for bikes. >> It was always bicycle and pedestrian. And that was part of the bicycle and pedestrian committee.
>> People ride their bikes across it. You're not going to be able to stop that. >> Yeah. >> Well, the thing is though, it's going to be dangerous for people walking if people are going to be riding their bikes. >> Well, it's it is 10 feet wide, right? >> Doing that either. >> 10. One of the reasons it was 10 feet was specifically so that someone on a
bike and a and walking could be on at the same time. >> The >> 10 feet is pretty pretty wide for that. >> Yeah. The width that's proposed is it conforms with what's considered a multi-use path which would generally be used by pedestrians and bicyclists >> because you know in West Kate May there
is no sidewalks. So you're going to have people walking off the bridge into the street. So, I don't know how this is increasing safety when it's actually making things more unsafe for anybody that's walking and for people on bikes. They're going to have to walk it across. So, why would they you encourage bikes
to go across that way? >> Well, it's it if I may, um it's only 50 foot. I mean, I'm looking at the the this room. It's really from the back. This is about 50 feet. So, it's not that I think the images >> Well, it's it's longer than this. If you
go over there and you see it, it's it's going to be longer than this. >> It's 50. >> No, not the act, but the the the probably the aprons on either side of it would be, but the area that's going that the actual bridge is is 50 foot. Am I correct? >> The actual bridge is 50 foot from above.
>> I would say it's about this room. >> Mhm. >> The bridge isn't going to span from curb line to curb line. It'll be curb line, a a a path, an asphalt path, a concrete path, bridge abutment, 50 ft bridge abutment, and then a path to the other side. All right. So, the bridge itself is only going to be 50 ft.
>> Okay. But it's it's going to between the two roads. It's more than 50 ft. >> Correct. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. >> Right. Okay. >> Bridge is 50 foot, but the >> the whole the whole concept of taking somebody across is more than 50 feet. The bridge might be 50 ft, but there's
still the path leading up to an that is still only 10 ft wide going into the bridge. >> Correct. I I guess I was a little disappointed with the council that they did not put this on the agenda for people that live in that area that probably would have liked to have come and expressed their opinions because
this has gone between into people's backyards and I'm sure these people that if you go over there there's signs everywhere and by the fact that you put this on at the last minute you're not allowing these people to come in here and express their opinions and to me
that that's not being done the proper way. Is there a reason why you didn't, you know, put this on the agenda ahead of time? >> I can tell you that city council didn't know that this was on until till today ourselves, but I and I started my thing by saying, "I apologize. I forgot to put
it on there." So that's why I forgot to put it on there. So it's >> Well, I mean, that's really that's really nice of you to apologize, but I think the people that live in that area aren't going to take an apology. Maybe if you could put this on the agenda for next week also or the next meeting so that people can come. >> This is far from the last meeting of on
this bridge. Number one, we certainly we heard about it today. Put it on online on live stream. Had it here today. I didn't want to say no, don't have it on. I' I'd rather have one other meeting about this there. Uh so this consider this a bonus, but we will have another
one on the agenda 100%. >> Before you vote on this today, are you voting on anything today? >> We're not voting on anything. >> Okay. Because they're saying they can't vote for CAF until it's voted on by the council. We're going to we're going to follow up at the next meeting with a resolution correct council to
consideration to to authorize this. >> It needs HPC approval. I mean HPC must approve this at the next HPC which has to be advertised and have a public meeting as you very much know. Um so and and this will come again to the city for
a resolution for a vote. >> Now my question is it has to go before HPC. Do those neighbors there have to be notified or they be notified? >> No. No. Okay. >> Not for HBC. >> I wasn't sure. >> But it now they'll have two public
meetings to to go to if they want to. And >> and there's no zoning or or planning board that has to be approved with this. Correct. >> Correct. >> And just for the record, I know that the the city manager has met with multiple neighbors in that neighborhood
personally several times. >> Yeah. >> But certainly it it's coming back to this table. like this was considered an update and um and again we'll go before HPC and a final vote from city council. >> So you're planning on a a final vote on this next council meeting.
>> We have to have it on a resolution, right? >> Correct. Yes. >> Okay. I'm just Why am I'm asking because maybe that we can notify the public about it coming from a taxpayers association. We would like to notify the public that this will be coming on the agenda. >> That's why we wanted when we had we knew they had the opportunity at the last
minute to have this, we we said we'd rather have another meeting about it than not. So, >> okay. Thank you. >> Yeah. >> Might I suggest that some of the comments that we made to you just to consider before you come back again just clarification around some of the things
like the lighting, you know, um the width is it bikes and pedestrians. >> The width can't change because I I don't mean that. >> I'm just letting that's the >> the fact that sometimes in those kind in the scenario in which you're allowing both pedestrians and bikes, do you want
to have one flow for one versus another? uh rather than having someone on a bike trying to weave in and out of people walking across a bridge. Just you're the engineers. I think you understand your concern. We'll we'll be discussing that. >> Yeah. Okay. >> Anything else, council?
>> Hello, Raj Johnson, 826 Lafayette Street. Um I totally agree with what Stacy said. Um, the reason why you posted agenda on Friday is to give residents the opportunity to make plans
to come to a meeting. Um I realize it's wonderful that this is going to be talked about in the future but um sometimes when things are introduced or uh I have heard comment
well we've talked about this at x amount of meetings I don't think this should be considered the first meeting that you're talking about this to the public >> because the public hasn't been >> several informed formed. >> So I think Roz, you have to recall that
this has probably been talked about at at least two meetings with a number of people from the public here expressing their concerns, which is why there was sort of some modifications to the design and why these uh gentlemen were here tonight. This has been, I think, under
consideration and review and discussion probably since last summer. Um, and I know that Mr. Steve has met and that has presentations at the bicycle and pedestrian committee. So I'm going to say quite frankly I I
did I thought this was kind of all you know had already been considered and moved along. I didn't know that we were still at this point. Um so I can assure you this has been at least at two meetings and then at the bicycle and pedestrian committee for at least two
HPC and private discussions with the city manager and Mr. Vodner and representatives from the from the bicycle and planning. I I appreciate your comment. I'm sorry. >> It's also been on the website for >> the since the summer. >> It's a lot different than having
It means so much when people can get up and express their opinion. It really >> and this is and it's not >> I mean there's something about >> um >> Do do you have a concern Roz about the Do you have a concern about the bridge? >> Say that again. Do you have a concern
about it? >> I don't have a concern about it. My concern is about um communication. I'm all about communication and having things available for residents to come
and physically speak. >> But they have done that before. You do recognize that. Correct. This is not the first time this has been discussed in a public forum. >> Right. >> Okay. But it is, you know, this is a pretty important meeting to see these
plans and so that's >> right. And it will be presented again. >> Okay. >> Okay. And these plans will be put up on the city website >> and have been up close. >> Okay. >> Anyone else? Okay. We'll close public comment. Um,
which was not required by the way. uh and and move on to ordinances for introduction. Gentlemen, thank you very much for your time. We appreciate it. >> Yeah. >> Oh, thank you. Appreciate it. Thank you very much. Thank you.
>> Thank you, >> Mayor. Before we go into each of these, they're they're both related. So, it might help if I can give council just sort of a preamble explanation for both of these and then you might want to consider moving on to a vote on each because it's just it's first reading and
introduction. Um 589 is a a simple amendment to the ordinance to confirm the appointing authority for the shade tree commission. Right now, it says city council. Actually, the statute points to the mayor u making these appointments just
like the HPC. So, that's just an update to conform to the statute. I don't have any concern about our current board makeup because the mayor happens to be a member of council. So, he voted for these before anyway. Um but going forward, this will update the appointment authority to be consistent
with the state statute. That's all 589 is doing. >> Mr. Solicitor, we were already we were already following that that protocol anyway, but it came to the agenda for like the first of the year. Mhm. >> Okay. So, >> yes. Yes. >> Who is connecting the two, making them match, >> right? This is five, in other words, 589
is just a housekeeping matter for for the city code. >> Um 590, there are some substantive changes being made to the city's shade tree or or tree protection and removal procedures. And there's a couple major
points just to uh to go through and and pull out from that so council and the public understands what's being proposed here. So the first thing is the shade tree commission um and by the way the these recommendations come to council
from the shade tree commission. This was an ordinance draft that was reviewed um and drafted with feedback from the shade tree commission subcommittee and ultimately reviewed by the shade tree commission members themselves. So this draft is comes to the council with the
endorsement of shade tree commission and that happened before the end of uh 2025 in November. So, um the first thing is they're looking to establish a landmark tree designation process to to um call
out uh trees in town that may have a specific relevance or importance, whether it's ecological, historical, um or other factors that um can be taken into consideration for really calling out this is a really important tree that
we should think twice about before removing essentially. And there's criteria and a process for the shade tree commission to establish it. It's not just walking around and staring at it and think, "Wow, that's really nice. That's a landmark tree." There's a process involved and the Shetry Commission has the responsibility to
kind of do that inventory if they choose to do that and make those designations and particularly if there's a private property tree involved. And because the tree ordinance does regulate trees on private property, it's not just uh
public rightway trees that there's notice to the person uh the property owner about a landmark tree um before that designation is made and they have the opportunity to participate in that process before any designation is made.
Um the next step is going in and um creating a little bit more of a familiar criteria and analysis for shade tree commission members and the public to understand the process by which shade tree commission members are going to
evaluate tree removal applications. And and the Shade Tree Commission already does this to a certain degree, but it may not be so obvious to an applicant that just bought a house here and realizes, "Wow, I have to I have to pull a permit to remove a tree. I didn't have to do that in so and so town in New York
or wherever else." Well, that is the case here. And I think it's helpful for the city to to explain that process to set expectations for board members. What is it that we're doing up here at this table? and also for applicants so that they understand, hey, when I have to
submit this application, what am I in for? And what this does is it calls out a range of criteria. Um, not unfamiliar to zoning board and planning board members. It's not to that degree. It's specific to trees, but for instance, you
know, determining whether a tree should be removed in the first place. You look at whether the tree is dead, disease, structurally unsound, whether it causes unavoidable conflicts with utilities, sidewalks, which is a common thing in the city, the sidewalks coming up because of the tree roots or my sewer
pipe or this or that. Um, trees ageize species, including whether it's invasive, non-native, or whether it's has limited habitat value, or if maybe it's a mature native species um of high value um given its location and setting.
the location of this the tree, whether it's highly visible on a public rightway, we like street trees, that's why the city looks the way it does and contributes to the character of the neighborhood, or is minimally visible in hidden public view. Maybe it's in a rear yard. Nobody notice notices whether
it'll be gone and whether the tree is designated as a landmark tree or not. Whether pruning, treatment or other management techniques could preserve the tree in place versus removal and the nature and extent and quality of proposed replacement or mitigation with
robust planting or mitigation plans weighing in favor of removal not but not dispositive. So none of these are like silver bullet. You get the tree removed or you don't get the tree removed. But it gives a framework for the show to commission to take all that and the
applicants can you know go through each one of those and present to the board and then you end up with this do the positives of outweigh the negatives of taking the tree out and it allows an applicant really to say hey look I know this is maybe a bigger tree but look at
what I I'd like to make a robust planting uh proposal to the shade tree commission of native species that might be more suitable to the site. ITE and the city allows applicants to get creative and make those types of presentations to the Shade Tree
Commission. And um that moves on to and and again the the applicant bears the burden just like they would with the zoning and planning board um and allows the Shade Tree Commission to balance all those criteria and whether the positives outweigh the negatives. And if the positives do outweigh the negatives and
the tree can be removed, then you go to this uh removal, replacement, and mitigation criteria. And there's a chart in here with that didn't exist before, but I'll tell you where this chart came from. It didn't come from my head. It came from the model um NJDP
uh tree ordinance. So, this is a framework that they use. They they do a um a DBH, a diameter at breast height replacement obligation um framework. So, the the bigger the tree, the bigger the replacement
obligation. But there may be cases where the maybe you don't want to overplant a site. Maybe you have a bunch of trees, the bigger tree gets removed and maybe your replacement obligation is four trees, but the shade tree commission looks at the site and you say, "You know what? We don't just want to plant trees to plant trees. We want to make sure
we're making smart planning decisions, too. Maybe you plant two and then you in and for the two that you would otherwise have to plant, you can pay a mitigation fee." And there's a mitigation fee built in here as an in lie of replanting and
that would go into the newly created tree bank which would be a a separate fund dedicated for shade tree commission um purposes you know advancing the purposes of street trees and replanting and making sure we have you know a healthy canopy throughout the city of
Kate May. So that's it establishes a mitigation fee in lie of replacement to again open the toolbox and allow the shade tree commission and applicants to come up with creative good planning solutions and some of that may involve hey you know what maybe don't overplant the site but maybe we do a mitigation
fee and it provides that discretion to the shade tree commission and then those fees would then go into that dedicated fund for that purpose. So this um ultimately in some this establishes a process for recognizing some trees may
be really valuable and important and recognizing this is a tree city. Second, it provides a much clearer I think and stronger framework for shade tree commission members to evaluate these applications. I think it sets expectations for applicants so that they're not just walking in and
wondering what is going to happen. here's the way that they evaluate it. And particularly for maybe new members coming into the shade tree commission, what do what do we do here? Um well, you could look turn to this and say, okay, this is this is my northstar of how I am to review applications when they come
through the door. And then making a replacement table and obligation that more closely conforms to the state model and what other towns have adopted on that basis. and then establishing this tree bank to provide again another kind
of toolbox to evaluate um and and decide these applications. I think these are good changes because really we do the way the ordinance is drafted now we do hold um and I've said this example before the shade tree commission is one of those ven diagram circles that you
have to overlap you have to get your construction office approval your zoning approval your HBC shade tree commission just because one of those boards may uh pass on you know hey this development looks good doesn't necessarily mean you get to take down the 200-year-old
magnolia tree so again some people get whiplash when they experience that for the first time, but this is more um directed towards making that clearer and setting expectations for board members and for applicants. Um, it also confirms
that if applicants do go to the zoning and planning board as opposed to the HPC, this doesn't apply to the HPC, but zoning and planning board, given the rigor that applicants have to go through to go and apply and pay escro fees and
get a professional and show up to the hearing and provide notice, you there should be a little bit of one-stop shopping for that process. and and so they have the discretion to make tree removal and planning decisions provided that the shade tree commission is able
to give feedback to the board in connection with them making the overall decision. My understanding is that already happens now that feedback is already given to the board. Um, but what it does is it kind of clears up this, you know, the applicant goes to the board, they said, "Hey, we're going to take out this tree to do this project. I
got the approval. Now what? I have to go to another board." It clears all that up. So, this is another let's let's clean it up for applicants as much as for the city. And um, again, I think it's it it cleans up a lot of things and and provides a a clear pro uh a clear
pathway to navigating these applications. probably again like I say in most cases it's not perfect but it's definitely an improvement to what we have today and I think it's going to help the shade tree commission um execute their duties. So with that I I would take any questions but this is
just first reading but I wanted to give everybody an explanation of what these are doing. >> Thank you. Do um do we have we have a motion right? >> Not yet. >> Okay. >> I jumped ahead so I don't think so. >> Let's talk about the both ordinances. >> Okay. Um,
so for let's introduce ordinance 589. >> Sure. 589 2026 is an ordinance confirming the appointing authority for the Shade Tree Commission. >> Do I have a motion? >> I make that motion. >> Do I have a second? >> I'll second. >> Any questions or comments? >> Roll call.
>> Council member Meyer. >> Yes. >> Deputy Mayor McDade. >> Yes. >> Council member Bodner. >> Yes. >> Council member Baldin. >> Yes. >> Mayor Mullik. >> Yes. and 590-2026, an ordinance amending section 482 of the city code to update the policies and procedure for the protection of trees in
the city of Kate May. >> Do I have a motion? >> I make that motion. >> Do I have a second? >> I'll second. >> Any questions or comments? >> I Oh, go ahead. >> If I may. Um because I think landmark trees are something new in this.
>> You're there was a that section was a specimen tree before. So, it's kind of it's very similar, but it it's slightly different, but the concept was always in the ordinance as a specimen tree. I think how we're handling it is, I think, a little bit more proactive and making
sure that, hey, a tree in your backyard just couldn't appear on some secret magic list that the shade tree created without you being informed of it. just because just because it's big and it might be a non-native species, you know,
and that that was sort of the logic of >> I know it look you're looking like, oh my god, anybody that looks at this is like what are you guys doing? But the the way that it is written now, if you don't change it, >> you have you have significant specimen, anything that's over larger than 16 in
and has a trunk diameter exceeding 60% of that largest. It's it's it could include some tree that we probably don't want maybe, you know, like just because it's big. So this >> this is >> not it's not >> I think the drag net is actually less
with this new language because really what it does is it says we start off with anything that is above a certain DBH is technically a tree and regulated. But if we want to ratchet up the regulation, it really requires the safety commission to to do some analysis
and to say, you know what, this is a really important tree because somebody, you know, some person read a book under here, you know, during the revolutionary war or something, you know, like it requires some work rather than it's just a big tree, you know. So is is that something then the shade tree commission
is going to be developing a list of these landmark trees um identifying them and >> am I correct? >> Yeah, absolutely. Okay. >> You know, most of them are probably going to be uh city trees anyway. But um say if you uh you had a big beautiful
you know Japanese pine or something that's very unique or not Japanese pine but something that I can't describe and if you if you felt you know special way about it because you planted that tree 40 years ago and you like it and it's unique you can apply to make sure that
your tree is protected in perpetuity you know >> but I think a lot of it what this is probably most geared towards as m uh Mr. Meer pointed to is the the street trees. So, and that that's going to run into conflict where inevitably
there's uh you know a sidewalk coming up or it's near somebody's driveway and then that's still going to be a balancing act. It's not again the the criteria is just because it's a landmark tree doesn't mean it doesn't come down. There could be reasons why it does come down. maybe got struck by lightning or
something, >> you know, but it just becomes another um piece of the the balancing act that you would consider. And if if it's not designated, then it's not considered, but it it does require some proaction by
shade tree commission versus the current code, which is just like is this a big tree or not? And that I think they're getting a little bit more nuanced on that. And it probably is good to have a little nuance on that type of thing and not just judge it by how big it is. And I can also extend into u memorial trees,
trees that may have a plaque, >> a a tree that those plaques go missing over the years. It kind of marries those two together. We have a record that that tree is a dedicated tree to somebody. And uh that way we always know that that you know we can't cut you shouldn't cut that tree down. It's Mrs. Smith's tree
for all these reasons. You know, >> it's a good idea. I just ask um just ask as as far as with this uh with this proposed ordinance and you know as far as how it interacts with the zoning and planning that you that
you touched on and you mentioned um as far as one-stop shopping. So you know it's my understanding now application goes before the zoning board just like when you um the zoning application there has to be feedback from the uh from the fire uh from the fire department fire
inspection and shade tree commission is is one of the documents that the zoning board would look for um as part of a completed packet for for consideration. So um and the shade tree commit um shade tree provides a a lot of feedback
regarding the the trees that are on property as well as how they should be taken care of and suggestions in regard to that. So I'm just trying to understand for myself and also for um applica the public that may be going before uh the zoning board or planning
as well. Um, you know, my further understanding is when the zoning application is is presented, if there's going to be an issue and they're going to be, so if I understands correctly, if there's a discussion about whether a tree would need to be removed or not, um,
the shade tree commission would be providing some input regarding that, but correct me if I'm wrong, ultimately the decision as far as whether it should stay or be removed would be part of that would be would it be part of that zoning? application to be determined by
ultimately by the zoning board in that and I know in many other instances the shade tree commission is it's a it's a binding decision but it may be advisory as in the way that it would go before the zoning board because they're looking at a a whole variety of factors in
determining the scope of a project variances things of that nature whereby the that a the trees may be one aspect of it and recognizing that I believe applicants may be required to provide a landscape plan in conjunction with that
application as well. So I mean if am I am I stating things correctly here or if you could clarify anything that I'm saying and you know for the public. Yes, that's exactly it. And the the idea is that they are by their nature dealing
with overall planning concepts for is this a good makeup of the total site and dealing with things like landscaping and vegetation so that it is within the purview of their review authority and also to avoid pingponging people after going through that specific process
which is involved. that's more involved than going even to the HPC because they have to provide 200 foot noticing and it's a little bit more of an elevated process. So HPC decisions are not trumping anything that the shade tree commission does and there's a little bit
more quicker turnaround time with an HPC review than there is for those types of boards too and that's another reason. But when you get to the zoning and planning board um level, the it's important that the Sha Tree Commission is given the opportunity to provide feedback on a removal proposal. So that
is built into this and and the language that's in here is not really changing the way it exists today. It's just and it's intending to explain it a little bit more clearly that if you're going to the zoning or planning board for a development project and the a component
of that is tree removal that the applicant be given the certainty of finality of I don't have to go to another board for the removal application. Now that's assuming that what they're proposing to do in relation with removal is proposed in that application and the shade tree commission has the opportunity to
provide feedback. It's not like, oh, I went there and didn't talk about it and now I got the approval. You have to make a the applicant has the burden to make a proactive application um and explanation and and the shader commission can say, "Hey, I don't like the removal, but hey, we need this for parking." And then
really the board's going to have to do a balancing act as they do on most things. But it is providing an avenue for finality for applicants if they choose to utilize it. But if they don't make that presentation, that's on them. I will I will say that on the record tonight. >> Okay. Thank you. I appreciate that.
>> To go along, sorry. >> No, I just I >> to go along with that. >> Say this. I'm sorry. Thank you. If the zoning board does approve the the removal of the tree because it's too close to the house or it's going to be where the driveway is going to be, etc., etc. Uh is the applicant then required
to uh replant or uh >> the >> pay the fees? the and there is um replacement criteria in the design standards that are that's where the two for one and those types of standards
come in. The table that's in here for tree removal is not changing that that's the zoning and landscaping requirements but there is a removal criteria and replacement criteria already in the zoning code. It's similar but not exactly this. Um but that that and but
that's part of the discussion that can happen with the shader commission providing feedback to those boards and saying hey you know this is a really valuable thing we think it should be X maybe it doesn't come down at all our recommendation would be it doesn't come down at all or maybe it's okay if they
replant three native things you know that's the type of feedback that then the board can say to the applicant what what what do you say applicant are you going to do that or not and then the board has to decide what what the final I'll say is, but it's really again to
avoid pingponging people after going through an already pretty involved process in the city. It's to provide efficiency, but it's really up to the applicants to take advantage of that, but the opportunity is provided here. >> So, I think this question is actually I'm I'm not sure maybe for Councilman
Meyer or um you Mr. Yolen Schwarz or Mr. Dietrich. So, you mentioned several times the other boards. So, zoning, planning, HPC, all of the members of those boards go through training, specific training uh courses online that
are offered through the state. HBC has uh I think an in-house kind of program that um Mr. uh the the chair takes everyone through. What does the shade tree commission do formally with regard to training for members? if and you don't have to answer if
there's nothing but I do think it's very important that there be um a formal program that is required. It's a hundred-y old program. >> 100. >> It's a tree federation. >> Okay. And everyone goes through that. >> You have you're required to do core core
work and then get certified >> and then after that you can go to the regular uh conference >> and you have see the other speakers. Okay. >> And you have to do CUS. So that okay >> the Sha Tree is actually one of the few that have to continue you'll get
continuing education credits to maintain that certification. >> Great. Okay. Didn't know that. That's why I asked >> that's one reason why we had some we have some current turnover on some of our shade tree commission currently was we had some members that didn't go through the oh >> core training and we kind of >> well that's good
>> had to politely say >> hey if you don't do the training >> you know you could still be on the commission but you're not going to be able to go out and do tree inspections because you need that >> well that's good information to have I was not aware of that one >> it's interesting it's 100 years old this year
>> I'll just add to the criteria because I the part of this what drove the criteria in here and I want to like spend an hour talking about this if we don't have to but just to comment on I I watched because we were having this continuous
discussion I was watching the shade tree commission you know review applications and if you watched maybe one application you would think wow that went really quick but if you watched the whole meeting or if you watched three meetings you you would get there was common
threads and common threads of reviewing the applications came through in this criteria which is you know that's a non-native species or that's an invasive species or that's you know there that's baked into this criteria and it was really an effort to flush that out and
put it out on paper so that applicants could see what I was seeing when I was watching these meetings which is that there are it wasn't arbitrary and capriccious it was there was some common threads that they were reviewing this and and it made sense for a city that seem to be taking it more seriously than
maybe other towns where you can just clear a site whenever you want. Well, that's not the way it's done here and let's so let's build on that and be clear about it so people are cleareyed when they come in and make a presentation. So that I just wanted to put that out there too. >> Any other questions or comments?
Council, I just wanted to thank uh Councilman Meyer and and the whole Shade Tree Commission as long as well as our solicitor for working together on this ordinance. So I greatly appreciate that. >> Um with that we >> I just have a comment. Oh yeah, please go ahead. >> This is this is on behalf of the shade
tree commission as a as a liaison to it. >> Um >> recently we have noticed more trees being cut down illegally in Cape May. We don't know if that's because we just happen to notice it or spies are out there neighbors, you know, noticing what's going on to, you know, to the
neighbors property. But, uh, it's it's on a little bit of an uptick and, uh, shade tree commission feels very strongly that it goes through the, um, the code enforcement process. You know, if somebody cuts down the a tree and says, "I didn't know that. you know, I
was I didn't know so many rules associated with it and the tree might be worth $8,000. After the the deed is done, we don't feel like there should be an opportunity for them to determine how much to haggle how much they think it's worth to pay
into the tree bank. Um, currently, well, recently a tree a street tree was cut down in Kate May and I think either this month or even this week there's going to is a court case about that person. Shade tree commission feels very strongly if you're cutting down a street tree um the
vandalism to us is equal to spray painting the walls of a bathroom a city bathroom uh it's it's vandalism and uh and you know you know just because shade tree commission does not uh approve your application there is an
appeal process that we've decided to keep the same which is that they go to the city manager and in the ordinance that we have gives the opportunity for one of the commissioners to also be present to discuss what we can do to make both both parties happy. So there
is appeal process. So don't feel like that we're coming down heavy on everybody. >> Just just please follow the rules. >> I have a quick question in reference to what you just said. I I know the tree that you're talking about that was taken down. It I don't know if it was actually somebody who comes and works within the
city um often. I mean most of the tree um companies that come into the city know our ordinance, know what they can and cannot do. Um you know not notifying these other tree companies that are coming in or you know um
>> there is there is uh as part of the application process we kind of uh copied a little bit after Westgate made because they're pretty much ahead of the game to be honest with you. Um the application has to have the contractor's contracting license. >> Correct. Mhm. >> And if they
>> if they but that's if you're taking a tree down. That's right. >> I think I think what I'm speaking of reaching out to a broader net of contractors who do tree work >> aside from the ones that are already known because they may be coming onto
the island and taking jobs not knowing our ordinance. >> Yeah, absolutely. Well, >> that's that's what I'm more more >> alluding to. Yeah. >> A little hard, but >> it is. But once you know who it was that came in and removed, then you you know the one that's going, you know, to
litigation, >> right? We that's we have to be diligent about that. >> Mhm. >> Absolutely. >> So, just a thought. >> Anything else, council? Okay, we have a motion and a second. Roll call, please. >> Council member Meyer, >> yes. >> Deputy Mayor McDade, >> yes.
>> Council member Bodner, >> yes. >> Council member Baldwin, >> yes. >> Mayor Mullik, >> yes. >> And we have public portions on resolutions. Mayor, >> anyone wishing to speak on resolutions that are on the agenda this evening, please come to the microphone, state your name and address for the record.
>> Seeing none, we'll close public comment on resolutions. >> Anything to remove from the consent agenda this evening, council? >> Anything council? >> Are the the things that we added to the agenda, are they part of the uh consent agenda? >> They're separate. You can vote on those separately. So, this is just the
consent. >> Thank you. >> Just the consent. Uh, do I have a motion? >> I'll make the motion. >> Do I have a second? >> I'll second. Roll call. >> Council member Meyer? >> Yes. >> Deputy Mayor McDade? >> Yes. >> Council member Bodner? >> Yes. >> Council member Baldwin? >> Yes.
>> Mayor Mullik? >> Yes. >> All right. So, we have on the regular agenda, resolution 87012026, a resolution establishing a task force for the creation of uniform standards for city signage. >> Do I have a motion? >> I'll make a motion. >> Do I have a second?
>> I'll second. Any questions or comments, council? >> I I have a comment. Um I think this is a great idea. Whoever come up came up with this. I think on the way to the council meeting, I was thinking about the discussion we had about the black polls, you know. >> Oh, yeah.
>> And I think this definitely dovetales into that. >> Um I also noticed that you don't have a second person from city council on that group. If anybody didn't want to be on that as I'd love to be on that as well. I appreciate your volunteerism. Anyone
have an issue with the I don't want to phrase it an issue with that. Uh does everyone okay with that? >> Stronger about >> Does anyone else feel stronger about that? >> Okay. I' I'd love to see you on there, Mr. Meyer. Put So, uh
>> may I make a motion to >> I'll make the motion. Can I I'd like to make a motion to amend the uh resolution to add Mr. Myers named uh as a um liaison. Do I have a second? >> I'll second. >> Thank you. Any questions or comments on
that? Council. >> Roll call. >> Council member Meyer? >> Yes. >> Deputy Mayor McDeade? >> Yes. >> Council member Bodner? >> Yes. >> Council member Baldwin? >> Yes. >> Mayor Mul? >> Yes. Do I have a motion on the amended resolution? >> I'll make the motion. >> Do I have a second?
>> I'll second. >> Any questions or comments on the amended resolution? >> Roll call. Council member Meyer, >> yes. >> Deputy Mayor McDeab, >> yes. >> Council member Bodner, >> yes. >> Council member Baldwin, >> yes. >> Mayor Mollik, >> yes. >> And we have 88012026,
a resolution of the city of Kate May approving an agreement with the Burrow of West Kate May for law enforcement and dispatching services. >> Do I have a motion? >> I'll make the motion. >> Do I have a second? >> I'll second. >> Any questions or comments? I just want to uh thank West Kate May and um it was
a bit of a process and I want to thank uh everyone who was involved on both West Kate May side and Kate May side. Um and and by process I mean a good one. We really delve into a lot of the numbers and it took a lot of work from city
staff um and um several council members that I just uh really appreciate their hard work and effort on this uh on this uh new agreement and and our solicitor. Again, thank you. And West Cape May solicitor Frank Curado, we thank them as
well. Um and uh and and I want to thank our police as well. Uh they um there is no better police department than the Cape May Police Department. So um I I and I know West Cape May recognizes that and does so in this contract. So we
thank them very much. And um uh again, Chief, we appreciate uh your department. Any other questions or comments? Roll call. >> Council member Meyer. >> Yes. >> Deputy Mayor McDade. >> Yes. >> Council member Bodner. >> Yes. >> Council member Baldin.
>> Yes. Mayor Mil. >> Yes. And I also meant to say uh just to thank you to West Kate May um for housing the Kate May Police Department. Um we we uh have agreed to an additional
two years of um the housing Kate May police department at West Cape May during the construction of the new police department. So again, we want to thank them for being such great neighbors to the city. So thank you Westgate May. Um, next resolution.
>> Moving on to 8901 2026. A resolution approving a memorandum of agreement between the city of Kate May and the Police Nevit Association Local 59. >> Do I have a motion? >> I'll make the motion. >> Do I have a second? >> I'll second. >> Any questions or comments, council?
I think we just complimented the police, but uh they uh certainly deserve this and we thank them for all of their hard work and um serving and protecting the city of Kate May. So, thank you. Roll call. >> Council member Meyer, >> yes.
>> Deputy Mayor McDeade, >> yes. >> Council member Bodner, >> yes. >> Council member Baldwin, >> yes. And well said, Mayor. >> Thank you, >> Mayor Malik. >> Yes. >> And finally, we have 901206, a resolution of the city of Kate May requesting the governor to issue a state
disaster declaration for New Jerseys beaches in response to storm damage. >> Do I have a motion? >> I'll make that motion. >> Do I have a second? >> I'll second. Any questions or comments, council? This was uh basically introduced by the city manager um in
regards to our trip down to DC. And uh for the public's edification, just to reiterate, this basically is asking for a um state of emergency to be declared in regards to the beaches. The reason we're asking the governor to do that. Um
the reason for that is uh well frankly we we had a conversation with uh the Army Corps of Engineers. We're talking about uh and I will say there are other other towns that have probably a little bit more of an emergency than the city of Cape May. Uh I know um Strathmir had
I think 15 out of 25 beaches closed as of now and right now do not have replenishment um ready. Um, so they truly have a a major emergency and uh the Army Corps is saying, "Well, you're telling us that
it's an emergency, but the state hasn't declared an emergency. We need you to do that." So, we're asking the uh governor to do that so that those funds can be freed up. With that, any other questions or comments, council? >> Roll call. >> Council member Meyer, >> yes. >> Deputy Mayor McDeade,
>> yes. >> Council member Bodner, >> yes. >> Council member Baldwin, >> yes. >> Mayor Mullik, >> yes. Okay, on to new business. Mayor, >> new business, city solicitor. >> Nothing tonight. Thank you. City manager. >> Um, I just wanted to bring up I'm sure
you everybody's aware, but if you haven't aren't aware, this weekend they're calling for some additional frigid weather, but also some white precipitation and it may be some accumulating precipitation. So, I would just, you know, remind everybody, you
know, obviously the our emergency management, public works teams are monitoring the situation along with the county and state officials. We'll be having some meetings Thursday and Friday just to kind of make sure that we're geared up and ready. Um, but I just would remind all residents to be careful
during the storm and once the storm is over. Um last year when we had some significant storms, uh we had some residents and business owners that did not do a really effective job at removing the snow in a timely fashion to allow our pedestrians
and residents to get around. And uh we are going to be taking a little more forceful hand. Uh the ordinance does allow that if it's not removed, not only can you be cited, but also the city can remove the snow and then charge you
back. So, um I just want to try to encourage residents to clear the snow around their sidewalk, especially if it's in an area, whether it's along a school route, if you're close to the business district or along that way, to get those sidewalks cleared so our pedestrians and visitors can move along
about. Thank you. >> Thank you. Uh, city clerk, any updates? >> Nothing tonight, M council. Thank you. >> Okay. City council members, uh, Councilwoman Baldwin, >> nothing tonight, mayor. Thank you. >> Councilman Bodner, >> nothing tonight. Thanks, >> Deputy Mayor.
>> Nothing at this time. >> Councilman Meyer. >> Uh, yes. Thank you, Mayor. >> Yes, sir. >> Um, the Shade Tree Commission are in the process of cutting down a number of uh uh uh gosh, tree of heaven. Uh it's the invasive species that the lantern flies
like to land on. Uh we're going to be removing one on the verge of Elmyra Street on the side of the um the uh jewelry store there. I don't know if anybody really noticed, but that's one of the busiest intersections in town and that side of the street does not have a
sidewalk. Uh, so I'd like to get your support as city council members just to even just to look at it to see if it's feasible to put a sidewalk in on that side so people are not walking once they realize that the sidewalk end and not walking in a street. So custom minor that was timely fashion because we were
going to be probably putting forth a resolution. So, I think that that was going to be every year we make an application to the Department of Community Affairs for our small cities ADA grant projects and I think in coordination uh I've already talked to Vince's office at ADA about including
that as well as some public bathroom another public bathroom project. So, I think we'll be able to include that as part of our ADA grant request for this year. >> That's great. >> And you know what that means, right, Mayor? >> No. >> That means all of Elmyer Street >> is paved.
That's great. Uh, anything else, Mr. Meyer? >> No, thank you. >> I have uh just just one thing to add and and that is actually a thank you to our city manager for driving uh to Washington DC at 4:00 in the morning with me and uh all the way back at like
close to 8:00 p.m. >> Oh, wow. >> Yeah. So, thank you. And it does remind you as bad as traffic can be in the city of Cape May in July, it is nothing like a normal day in Washington. Uh so we're very blessed where we're at. Um
and I just I do want to say one more thing um and open it up to the public in regards to the bridge tonight. I agree. I wish that it was on the agenda. Um and everyone up here, I'm sure, feels exactly the same way. we were given the
opportunity to have that and we all had to consider should we have it. We understand people are probably going to be upset that it wasn't on the agenda, but we all felt that it would be better to have than than not have. Having said that, um I do feel bad about that. Um and I've already said that the other
times that we've had it on the agenda. Um and um frankly, I've posted about it on social media. Um, so obviously we want people to know about it, but I am going to ask the city manager to frankly just have this the exact same meeting that we just had, put it on the agenda
in the next coming weeks at whatever fits the schedule of uh Remington Vernick if if that's okay. Is council okay with that? >> Yeah. >> So that way that is on the agenda. It's advertised and anyone who's interested in coming is is there. I maybe they'll
give us a couple updates based on uh some of the comments and questions that we had this evening. Is that okay? City manager. Okay. I I appreciate that. Uh with that, we'll open up for public comment. Anyone wishing to speak, please come to the microphone, state your name and address for the record.
>> Ros Johnson, 826 Lafayette Street. Thank you very much for um saying those words. For me personally, it means a lot. So, thank you. >> Thank you, Ros. >> Um, Paul, I'd like to have an update on the quality of life committee.
>> Um, so we had one at the in December, uh, just to kind of wrap some things up and kind of refocus some of our code enforcement and the things that we were really trying to focus them on is some of the ordinances that council adopted
over this past year and a year and a half. uh specifically uh construction activities with sawing of materials, the the collection of that debris. >> Uh the covering of dumpsters both on the
site and um in transit uh and and that one specifically uh Chief Fashaw implemented uh a couple times during the month. Um he had his patrol division in the evenings drive around to the dumpsters that did not have comfort
coverings in the evening. So after everybody was done work and then sent that list to code enforcement. So code enforcement had a a real good list because a lot of times when code enforcement would go out in the morning they're already there. They took the camp off. So we were missing that. So Chief Ashaw took that and and kind of
jumped on that. So those are kind of the you know we were focus on some of those items that were uh adopted newly by council ordinances to try to make sure that all the offices were enforcing and and following through those ordinances. >> Thank you.
>> Um so with this committee um do you uh do you have goals for 2026 or do you just uh address things as they come? We we look at
we don't have specific goals. No, we look at those issues that we see over the past couple council meetings that may have been issues whether it's emails that have come into various departments or also see challenges or struggles that that individual departments are having
and where they just need assistance with other departments to make sure that they're able to complete their work. >> Okay. effectively kind of like that code enforcement thing, you know, where code enforcement was having trouble doing one thing and and they got at another part of the city departments to help them out. >> Mr. Dietrich, can I ask a question?
>> I one other thing. I read something about um when you went to Washington, you there was something about um a drone corridor something. >> I'm not I'm not sure about that one, Roz. I'm sorry. >> No.
>> Oh, okay. Do you know what any any what in reference it was at all? >> Um I I I believe I got it from the I thought I got it from the press >> from the Atlantic press. No, >> I I'm I'm drawing a blank. >> Well, they had mentioned that um they
had mentioned how Vandrew gave um >> not gave uh was able to acquire um $500,000 for the Delaw plant. >> Right. That's true. Yeah. >> Right. And then they talked about the seaw wall, >> right?
>> And then they mentioned this uh drone corridor project >> that may not be in Kate May. I don't know. That was I know he was working with just you know um with >> the FC what's the uh Florida I mean
Florida the um >> you know the uh flight um you know at the Atlantic City airport. FAA. Thank you. FAA at the uh airport and I I do think drones were uh part of that but I I don't I don't know what that was
about. >> Yeah, that definitely wasn't part of our dis our discussion was purely based on beach and shore protection. >> Yes. >> Oh, okay. >> I mean the article might have added some other things but but we were really focused on >> on those that that singular topic. said
drone testing corridor as part of a larger 6.5 million regional package. Federal funds were secured for advanced aviation and drone testing corridors in South Jersey. >> Which Mayor Mullik and other regional
leaders agreed to. >> Uh that's interesting. >> I don't Yeah, I don't know. >> All right. Well, we'll scratch that one. >> That may have been, you know, maybe intertwined a little bit in that. I don't I don't know. >> Okay. >> Yeah. I I do know that, you know, they
really have been trying to lead especially actually at the Kate May airport. Maybe that's the confusion because we all know that's not >> Kate May, but uh >> I hope you don't mind me asking. >> Yeah. No, no problem. But I know they've been trying to lead in drone technology. They have a
>> drone group there and everything, but yeah, I don't know anything about it. >> Okay. Thank you. >> Sorry. >> Just can I ask real quick um Paul >> Mr. Paul, >> just that quality of life um committee are uh public members part of that?
>> No, this is this is really just an internal thing that I have with my departments to uh focus on that and make sure that we're okay. We're we're keeping that as a focal point in in in our daily works. >> Okay. Thank you, >> Jules R10 New York Avenue. Um,
I would encourage the shade commission, shade tree commission to to look at making a list of suggested trees. And I be a little more proactive in what you'd like to see someone do treewise. And I
would make a strong suggestion that we try to encourage the planting of crepe myrtles. Not only because they're a beautiful tree, but they kind of go in line with the Victoria of the city. Um, the other issue with with with trees, I
don't know whether you've noticed recently, we're seeing more and more use of the Leland Cyprus as a as a as a as a fence. Uh, normally fences in the city are limited to a height of six feet.
Well, I have a new house next to me, re a house that's been re redone where they planted uh a series of Leland Cypress 3 and 1/2 ft on center, 2 feet off the property line. They're now uh
about 20 ft high going on 30t high. uh Leland Cyprus uh particularly in this area where we have a high moisture content 100 feet's not unusual and we have a number of areas where it's just one solid block of of trees. Uh, and I
would encourage the Shading Tree Commission to to look at the possibility of trying to prohibit the the the trees being used as a as a barrier or a fence because it does limit uh air
circulation, sun, the rest of it. Um Paul, in the past there was always a there was a discussion about putting a jetty or requesting a jetty at the Coast Guard base uh beach because that's
really the more vulnerable area for a loss of sand. Has that ever come back up again? No, but as part of, you know, we had the beach study last year and we'll be working on getting the our consultant back on board
to outreach both the Army Corps and the Bureau of Coastal Engineering on, you know, what they're going to look at and what they think to model the best way to, you know, prevent
that lural deposits and removal and and, you we have to work with, you know, we're going to start that conversation. So, >> I don't I don't think we're going to pigeon hole ourselves into one specific idea. I think we have to let the beach
consultants work with the Army Corps and and and figure out, okay, what what what's the goal? what's the outcome that they were looking for and and work with them to come up with what possible scenarios and then try to figure out >> this might be an opportune time because
it the apparent it's apparent that the the nation is going to be promoting the the advance or enlargement of the Coast Guard and of a jetty there would be certainly a security item for for them as well as our beach. Um,
>> uh, that's all I have. Thank you very much, >> Mr. Rous. Just to just to add to that, I we did talk about structure, you know, with the Army Corps, with the, uh, House representatives and Senate representatives. Um, because,
you know, all of us understand that you pump the sand on the beach and and then it washes away. we all of us understand that that's an issue and and agree with that. Um, so we did say, you know, look, not
only do we need to have the beach replenishment, but there needs to be a very strong look at structure. And I obvious needs to be a part of the final solution on on on these projects. And it would be this might also be an opportune time to to try to get an advancement uh
extension of our our our contract with the with the with the federal government because we're so unique. There's not very many communities have had that opportunity and I'd love to see us get another 50 years. >> Good point. >> Thank you, Mr. Rous. Uh the Sha Tree uh
secretary has a real I'll call it cute pamphlet of recommended street trees. I'll say cute because I designed it. Um, it comes with a legend that tells you like if it has a little turtle next to it, it means it grows slow. If it's got a I think it's a wolf or something, it
grows fast. It tells you whether it flowers and when it flowers. >> Oh, great. >> And uh and I've been talking to professors uh a former landscaper over here and uh I'm trying to update that list this spring. >> Yeah, I think >> it might be bigger than ever. I be be
great to be proactive as opposed to, you know, being the policeman of the of the trees. >> I'll just add to that too, Mr. Meyer. I know the environmental commission, which obviously is part of the um the uh zoning application pro uh planning
application process, I should say, and they have a list of native trees that they include as recommendations always. >> Well, I didn't want to go on about the Leland Cypress, but when you take a Leland Cyprus that's 80 90 feet high.
The extent of their root their root system is unbelievable. And I've got them now um eight or nine feet from my my foundation. And even though the law may pro provide me with the opportunity
of doing root printing um it would it it would not be the greatest thing in the world for the tree. Uh though I think we if we be a little more aggressive in uh how we approach the requirement of
limiting using trees as a as a fence, we might uh we might accomplish a couple of other things, too. So, thank you. >> We might have to look at the uh the ordinance that we created to screen pools and things like that to put a limitation on that. >> Thank you.
>> Thank you, >> Stacy Shan, 928 Columbia Avenue. Um, my first concern is a safety concern. Uh, the two lights out behind the police station here, one behind the church and one directly behind the police station are out. And this is a walkway. There
were a lot of people walk between the Acme and Victorian Towers. I know for a fact that it was that Langley Electric was notified about the one behind the church. The one behind the police station goes on and off. So, sometimes it could be working, other times it's
not. but it's extremely dark. Um, I did notify the police, but it still isn't getting done. I don't know if council can do something to push Atlantic City Electric to correct the safety issue. My other question has to do with we are
looking not to advance that new parking ordinance for residential parking spots. Um, just for clarification, that does limit only people that are residents. You can't get that if you have a commercial property. Correct. >> That's correct.
>> Okay. Are they checking that people that get this are don't have a merkantal license? >> Yeah. >> Because it sounds like there there is a I'll talk after work. I don't want to put on the record or anything. Okay. Uh, my next question has to do with the West Cape May Police
Station. um what is the final figure that we are going to be receiving from West Kate May? >> So I I can give a summary of that because we didn't really dive into the details. Um >> similar to the Kate May point contract, there's an FTE factor analysis and it's
based on the actual cost of the department for the year and the total of that number is $745,389. So that's the annual fee for 2026. And then there will be a uh
reconciliation of 2027's budget numbers as applied to that 4.5 officer equivalent that we'll do on an annual basis similar to the Kate May Point contract, but the initial year is set in the contract and that's the figure. Si also similar to West or to
Kate May Point, we have the county dispatch fee. Um, but what the parties have agreed for the initial two years of this contract, and it's a six-year contract for West Kate May. It's a 5-year contract for Kate May Point. The
county dispatch fee is is uh going to be exchanged for the city's ability to continue to lease the substation over there for two years. And then when the police station is event the new police station is eventually finished, the idea is that the city's probably not going to
need that space and there's the ability to terminate that lease and in which case once we vacate the substation in West Cape May and no longer have use for that or they decide that they need it for whatever reason after two years that that's when the county dispatch fee will
kick in just like on the same terms uh that we have in the Kate May point agreement. It's based on per calls and how many calls they're that we're getting for them. >> Um, is WestK going to contribute to the $8 million new police station? >> That's not part of the budget analysis.
We just wanted to do a um, you know, operational administrative costs. Um, and that that was the basis for the the budgetary figure that we apply the 4.5 FT analysis to. >> Okay. I mean because and the logic to
that really is that we we need a new police station independent of whether we're servicing those new towns. Certainly there'll be a benefit to that but really the it's a need that we have uh regardless of the existence of those agreements. >> Okay. Even though the size is probably
built larger because of the other two municipalities. >> I don't know that that's the case necessarily. That's but >> Okay. Um, my next question is you're talking about the sidewalk on Elmmyra Street that that don't have sidewalks. Isn't that the resident's responsibility
to put in sidewalks? Is there a reason why the city is going to be taking on that responsibility to put in some resident sidewalks versus the person being responsible for putting in their sidewalk? >> No sidewalk. No sidewalk exists at this
point, >> right? But isn't it the responsibility of the resident to put one in? >> To maintain. I don't know if it's a requirement to add. >> So, in other words, people can build a house and not put sidewalks in. I don't
think that's how it works. >> No. New new sub new subdivisions, newly created streets have a requirement to do that. But if I have an existing house, existing property that does not have sidewalks, which there's not many in the city of Kate May that are existing
properties that do not have sidewalks. There's no obligation for them to build it. And part of the reason why they never build a sidewalk is really because that tree that we're taking down is as well as they're part of their parking lot where they park. Well, only reason
why I'm saying that is because I know at when I was younger, our house, we did not have a sidewalk that continued to the other person's sidewalk next door. And the city came in and said that we had to put that sidewalk in and it was our responsibility to put the sidewalk in.
>> So, that's only reason why I'm asking why are we putting in somebody else's sidewalk when it should be the responsibility of the homeowner. >> That was just my question. Thank you. >> Thank you. Anyone else this evening? Yeah, sure.
Uh, Mike Barker from 1017 New Jersey. I just wanted to say thank you. I actually came here to speak on the parking. Um, I didn't realize that people really watch YouTube and watch these things. I I made all sorts of friends this week. I even got fan mail in the So, um, so I know I was the only person that showed up, but
I did want to thank Miss Podner especially. Thank you for your email exchange. and um I I just feel very much appreciated that um there was a reconsideration and and here now. So, thank you. >> Thanks, Mike. >> Thank you. >> I wish I got fan mail from our meetings.
>> Thank you, Mike. >> Uh anyone else this evening? >> Motion to adjourn. >> I'll make that motion. >> Thank you everyone. Have a wonderful evening. The time is 15 minutes till 7 p.m. >> Stay safe.